Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ATMs & Credit Cards
MasterCard and Visa are the most widely accepted brands. Banks will accept credit cards for over-the-counter cash ad-
vances, or you can make ATM withdrawals if you have your PIN. Many banks are also linked to international banking
networks such as Cirrus (the most common), Maestro and Plus, allowing withdrawals from overseas savings accounts.
Maybank
(
www.maybank2u.com.my
)
, Malaysia's biggest bank with branches everywhere, accepts both Visa and
MasterCard. Hongkong Bank accepts Visa, and the Standard Chartered Bank accepts MasterCard. If you have any ques-
tions about whether your cards will be accepted in Malaysia, ask your home bank about its reciprocal relationships with
Malaysian banks.
Contact details for credit card companies in Malaysia:
American Express
(
2050 0000;
www.americanexpress.com/malaysia
)
Diners Card
(
2161 1055;
www.diners.com.my
)
MasterCard
(
1800 804 594;
www.mastercard.com/sea
)
Visa
(
1800 802 997;
www.visa-asia.com
)
Currency
The ringgit (RM) is made up of 100 sen. Coins in use are 1 sen, 5 sen, 10 sen, 20 sen and 50 sen; notes are RM1, RM5,
RM10, RM50 and RM100.
Taxes & Refunds
There is no general sales tax but there is a government tax of 6% at some midrange and all top-end hotels and many lar-
ger restaurants, in addition to the 10% service fee. This is often expressed as '++' next to the price.
Travellers Cheques & Cash
Malaysian banks are efficient and there are plenty of moneychangers. Banks usually charge a commission for cash and
cheques (around RM10 per transaction, with a possible extra fee for each cheque), whereas moneychangers have no
charges but their rates are more variable.
All major brands of travellers cheques are accepted. Cash in major currencies is also readily exchanged, though the
US dollar has a slight edge.
Opening Hours
Banks
10am to 3pm Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 11.30am Saturday
Restaurants
noon to 2.30pm and 6pm to 10.30pm
Shops
9.30am to 7pm, malls 10am to 10pm
Post
Pos Malaysia Berhad runs a fast and efficient postal system. Post offices are open from 8am to 5pm from Monday to
Saturday, but closed on the first Saturday of the month and on public holidays.
